—Two Poem Renderings of Hafiz
Manic Screaming
We should make all spiritual talk
Simple today:
God is trying to tell you something,
But you don’t want to buy.
That is what your suffering is:
Your fantastic haggling,
Your manic screaming over the price!
My Brilliant Image
One day the sun admitted,
I am just a shadow.
I wish I could show you
The infinite incandescence (Tej)
That has cast my brilliant image!
I wish I could show you,
When you are lonely or in darkness,
The Astonishing Light
Of your own being!
from I Heard God Laughing
Renderings of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky
Penguin Books, 2006